A “good” credit score depends on the scoring model and country. In India (CIBIL/Experian 300–900 scale), lenders generally view 750+ as strong and 700–749 as good; globally on FICO/VantageScore (300–850), “good” starts near 670–661, with 740+ often getting top‑tier rates.
India: CIBIL/Experian ranges (300–900)
- Excellent: 750–900 — best approval odds and lower rates across home, auto, and personal loans.
- Good: 700–749 — eligible for most products, though rates may be a bit higher than top tier.
- Fair: 650–699 — possible approvals with tighter terms or higher rates; improve before large applications if possible.
- Poor: below 650 — low odds; focus on rebuilding with on‑time payments and lower utilization.
Context: Indian lenders rely heavily on bureau data (CIBIL, Experian, CRIF, Equifax), and many explicitly cite 750+ as their preferred benchmark for premium terms in 2025.
Global: FICO and VantageScore ranges (300–850)
- FICO: Good 670–739; Very good 740–799; Exceptional 800–850.
- VantageScore 3.0/4.0: Good 661–780; Excellent 781–850.
- Average FICO in 2025 is about 715, which sits in the “good” bracket; best mortgage rates often cluster near 760+.
Why this matters: Underwriters may price loans off tiers; moving from “good” to “very good” can lower interest costs meaningfully over long tenures.
How to know what’s “good” for a specific loan
- Lenders set product‑specific cutoffs; for prime unsecured personal loans in India, many prefer 750+, while cards may approve at lower bands with tighter limits.
- Even at the same score, history and income matter: low utilization, long history, and clean payments can offset a borderline score.
Fast ways to move from “good” to “very good”
- Pay on time, every time; payment history is the biggest driver.
- Keep credit utilization under 30% (ideally 10%–20%) on each card and overall.
- Avoid frequent hard inquiries; batch rate‑shopping within a short window.
- Build length and mix gradually: keep older accounts open and maintain a healthy mix only when needed.
When to apply if the score is borderline
- Improve utilization two billing cycles before applying; a statement‑date pay‑down can lift scores quickly.
- Dispute errors early; bureau corrections can meaningfully change approval odds.
- If near a tier threshold (e.g., 740 for top rates), a short delay to cross the tier can save substantial interest.
Bottom line: In 2025, aim for 750+ on India’s 300–900 scale to access the best terms, and at least 700 for broad eligibility; globally, 670+ is “good” on FICO with the best pricing often at 740–760+. Build steadily with on‑time payments, low utilization, and a clean report.
Digital marketing blog commentReally interesting breakdown of how ‘good’ varies not just by score range but also by geography and product type. What stood out to me is that moving from a ‘good’ to a ‘very good’ tier can meaningfully reduce loan costs over time — something many people overlook when they think being in the ‘good’ range is enough. It’s a helpful reminder that aiming a bit higher can have long-term financial benefits.
The global vs. India score comparison really highlights the importance of understanding your credit score, especially when aiming for those top-tier loan rates. It’s a reminder to monitor not just the score but also credit utilization and payment habits.
Really helpful comparison—especially clarifying what “good” looks like across systems (e.g., 750+ in India on CIBIL/Experian’s 300–900 scale vs ~670+ on FICO / ~661+ on VantageScore’s 300–850 scale).